The most important item your not taught in training

Well.... I wouldn't drive for them either if they didn't pay 19.50 an hour weekends off

 

But what about the new roads from the last Quarter Century??? )

 

@roadmap65
Correction... I miss read what was 24 years old... So totally my bad... lol

 

I skipped 50% of this thread as it was probably just another Old vs New thread. {shrug}

As to the OP, newbie here, during training I had four different trainers... A couple with 20-30 years driving experience and one "wanna be true trucker" that had the attitude of a very traditional "trucker"... The "true trucker" (with 5 years of driving experience) was the only one with a CB but even he didn't use it very often... I actually found myself turning it on and using it more than he did... LOL

So, during training, the CB, and it's use, wasn't really covered by anyone.

I have since added it to my "mix of tech in the truck" and i am currently in the process of upgrading the antenna and cables to have a decent basic CB setup.

I do see the value in having a CB in the cab.

But I try to use a mix of tech in my truck.

 

Now, having said that,
(the flip side of the coin)

I do find the usefulness of a CB in the truck to be greatly offset by all the BS being broadcast.

The CB use to be the cornerstone of communication technology for this industry. Drivers could reach out for help and information from just about anyone in a CMV. No longer.

It is no longer the "only game in town" and, unfortunately, a wider variety of users/drivers out there will bring their own tech to the job.

Now, what I would love to see... (It will never happen in this "us vs them" environment) is all the "older truckers" out here jumping on those that are making us "new drivers" turn off the CB or not getting one at all.

I love my CB and even I will turn the dumb thing off due to all the moaning and groaning and complaining and judgement being broadcast over the CB frequencies.

Instead of complaining about "these newbies" not having or using the pride n joy of 1970's tech... Start jumping on those drivers complaining about some guy taking 30 minutes to back and tell them to get their hind quarters out of their cab and help the guy.

Give us a reason to leave the CB on!!!

With Respect to All,
MD

 

Personally I feel truckers have no one to blame for inexperienced drivers but themselves. If experienced truckers arent wiling to take a newbie into their trucks at least one time a year, who do you think those companies are going to put em with? New drivers with no experience themselves. A self-perpetuated problem cause it might inconveinence someone 4 weeks out of the year. Just the opinion of one of those newbies that is likely to be getting one of those inexperienced trainers soon...

 

I think the most important thing I was never taught in training is that when a lot lizard starts shaking the door violently and sobbing in the middle of the night... you should probably let her out.

 

If you must...

 

Oh I am all for whatever experience comes my way, because to be honest even someone driving for only a year has more experience driving a truck than I do. I'll get what I can from the experience - as long as it doesn't violate my common sense and then bother every trucker I meet when I am in my own truck to gain their knowledge as well. I don't ask too many questions right now because honestly I don't know the questions having never experienced it, so can mostly just read and glean what I can from those of you who share your knowledge.

I am also smart enough to know CDL schools will not teach me to be a truck driver, but how to just pass the exams. Becoming a truck driver takes experience. So no, I wont be one of those flashing my cdl upon graduation claiming I am now a truck driver.

Oh and I also agree, why pay you to train me when they can get someone else to do so at half the price and haul their loads for half the price too. After all let's be realistic, that's why they have sponsored cdl schools.